Dolphin Parent Connection
December 2019 Volume 5, Issue 4
PTA Winter Wonderland Event
Red Mill’s annual Winter Wonderland festival is THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th FROM 9:00 AM to Noon. We hope to see you there.
It will include a craft show, silent auction, kids’ crafts, cookie decorating, a cake walk, face painting, a kid-friendly shop, and more! Without your help, we may need to cut down on the activities. If you can spare an hour or two of time, please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4faaa92aa3fb6-2019
The PTA could still use some more cakes for the cake walk. See this link if you are able to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4faaa92aa3fb6-cake
For those interested in shopping… please see the attached list of businesses who have generously donated to our Silent Auction. Our craft show vendor list also continues to grow. Some of the items for sale includes the following: Body lotions and soaps, wax scents, yo-yo water balloons, baked goods, painted glass, finger nail décor, active wear, home décor, crochet items, wreaths, wine glasses, jewelry, and much more!
The PTA will also be selling discounted tickets to Virginia Beach Boardwalk's Holiday Lights Merry Mile. Tickets are normally $10 for a car, and we will sell them for $7 in the library. These will only be available on the day of Winter Wonderland from 9:30-11:30.
Please note: If the RMES parking lot is full, you can park along Elson Green Avenue. Please keep in mind the event is free, but you may want to bring cash for craft vendors, the Polar Pals Kids' Shoppe, and concessions.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
· Tuesday, December 3rd: First Grade Gifted Information Parent Meeting @ 9:00 AM
· Tuesday, December 3rd: Fifth Grade Gifted & Middle School Information Parent Meeting @ 6:00 PM
· Tuesday, December 3rd: Art Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Tuesday, December 3rd: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, December 4th: Anchored4Life Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, December 4th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Thursday, December 5th: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Saturday, December 7th: PTA Winter Wonderland @ 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
· Tuesday, December 10th: Maker Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Tuesday, December 10th: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, December 11th: SCA Meeting @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, December 11th: Helping Hands @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Thursday, December 12th: Kindergarten (Bunn & Young) to Sullivan House
· Thursday, December 12th: Girls on the Run @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Friday, December 13th: Progress Reports Issued to Select Students
· Friday, December 13th: Kindergarten (Nilufer & Peterson) to Sullivan House
· Sunday, December 15th: Girls on the Run 5K @ 9:00 AM
· Monday, December 16th: Winter Strings & Chorus Concert @ 10:00 AM (performed for students)
· Monday, December 16th: Garden Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Monday, December 16th: Winter Strings & Chorus Concert @ 6:30 PM
· Tuesday, December 17th: Grade 1 Gifted Screening in AM
· Tuesday, December 17th: Art Club @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, December 18th: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Nutcracker at Sandler Center
· Wednesday, December 18th: Kindergarten Sing-Along @ 1:45 PM
· Wednesday, December 18th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
· Wednesday, December 18th: Helping Hands @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Friday, December 20th: SCA Spirit Day--Pajama Day (no slippers)
· Friday, December 20th: Early Release Day @ 12:10 PM
· Monday, December 23rd--Wednesday, January 1st: Winter Break
· Wednesday, January 2nd: Back to School from Winter Break
· Wednesday, January 8th: SCA Meeting @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 8th: Helping Hands @ 2:45-4:00 PM
· Wednesday, January 8th: STEM/Robotics Club @ 2:45-4:15 PM
Gifted News
Grade 5 Parents,
You are invited to attend the fifth grade parent workshop to learn more about the 5th grade gifted screening, identification, and application processes. Additionally, Ms. Whitt, our school counselor, will share information about the Plaza MYP program. Please click the link to complete the RSVP form.
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 PM Red Mill Library
https://forms.gle/R2qKpFJSkkumZT2Y6
Grade 1 Parents,
You are invited to attend the first grade parent workshop to learn more about the 1st grade gifted screening and identification process. Please click the link below and complete the form to RSVP.
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 9:00 AM Red Mill Science Lab
https://forms.gle/c3uP8hU1Jsmj7Kzt6
An Assessment Specialist for gifted education will be at Red Mill Elementary on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 to work with 1st grade students as part of the screening process. A good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast are the best preparation for screening. Having your child present on this date is appreciated, but a make up date will be scheduled if needed.
All Grade 1-5 Parents,
The link below is used for all gifted application services to include identification, cluster classroom, Old Donation School, dance, and visual arts. Please note that the gifted visual arts application requires a portfolio to be submitted to complete the application.
Deadlines:
Grades 2-5: January 10, 2020 4:00 p.m. (Testing date: February 20, 2020)
Grade 1: February 10, 2020 4:00 p.m. (Testing date: April 23, 2020)
If you have questions, please reach out to Tamyra Natividad, Gifted Resource Teacher, at tamyra.natividad@vbschools.com
School Counselor Corner
We are continuing to learn about problem solving during the month of December. Students are learning a variety of coping strategies and are continuing to practice utilizing conflict resolution strategies. For more information, the article at bit.ly/RMCoping discusses 5 ways to help children develop self-regulation and coping skills.
Fifth grade students are beginning to focus on the future – this month we will learn about middle school course options and high school academies. Fifth grade parents, save the date for middle school information night! Princess Anne Middle School will host a rising 6th grade information night on Tuesday December 10 @ 6:00 pm (at PAMS). Please see additional dates for Gifted Visual Arts and Dance programs below.
Please feel free to contact me by phone (648-3572) or e-mail (erin.whitt@vbschools.com) if you have any questions or concerns.
December PE News
Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile
Register to run with Red Mill in the Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile!
Saturday, March 20th, 11am https://register.hakuapp.com/?event=e43edd9eb215ded263e0
Dismissal Change Reminders
PTA News
Amazon Smile and Box Tops
As you begin to shop for the holidays, keep in mind that you can select Red Mill Elementary on Amazon Smile. 0.5% of eligible purchases will come back to the school. Box Tops Labels turned into $325.60 this time around! We’ll turn in another round in December. You can still clip and turn in any labels found on grocery items, and now you can download an app that allows you to easily scan your receipt. Search your app store for Box Tops and see how easy it is! Thank you to volunteer Bekah Kelly for coordinating this fundraiser.
PTA Family Game Night will be held on Friday, January 24th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Look for more information to go home in January.
PTA Variety Show
Looking ahead… we will be holding our variety show in February this school year. Students who want to participate should start thinking now about how they’d like to share their talent. We’ll have more info after Winter break.
You can always e-mail redmillpta@yahoo.com or go through our Facebook page with any questions or concerns.
Helping Hands & Garden Club Information
Helping Hands Club members are making beautiful Holiday pillows that will be for sale at the PTA Winter Wonderland. They will also have Hot Chocolate, Hot Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee and Water on sale. We will also be having a wonderful Bake Sale. The Garden Club will have Bird Seed Feeders on Sale at Winter Wonderland so that you can feed your garden friends this winter!
Helping Hands is collecting New and Used Coats for families through February. A drop-off box is located in the lobby. Helping Hands is always collecting New and Used shoes. So clean out those closets and bring them to school.
Also, the clinic is in need of some extra pants for boys sizes 6, 8, 10 and girls size 12. If you are cleaning out your child's closet and have some pants that you could donate in these sizes, the clinic would gladly accept them.
Books Make Great Gifts
Our students are participating in the Virginia Reader’s Choice Program again this year. Students are introduced to 10 books, and they can read the books throughout the school year. If they read at least 4 of the 10 books, they can vote for their favorite title in April of 2020 to help determine the state winners. If you were looking for ideas for books to add to your home library, here are the Virginia Reader’s Choice titles for this year.
Free Access to Virginia Beach Public Library Digital Resources
Did you know that Virginia Beach students have digital access to the Virginia Beach Public Library? Through a partnership between Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL), all K-12 students have year-round public library digital access.
Browse for resources using this link VBPL's Digital Library or access the Virginia Beach Public library through Clever. When prompted for a library card or account number, enter the following:
Login: S + VBCPS Student ID number. Example: S1234567
Password or "PIN": Date of birth in MMDD format. Example: a Jan. 1 birthday would be 0101
Details
- Students only need their login and password to access digital resources 24/7. No physical library card is issued.
- Student accounts include public computer access at all VBPL locations except for the TCC/City Joint-Use Library.
- VBCPS accounts expire 30 days after a student graduates or leaves the VBCPS district.
- Access to Hoopla and Newsbank resources is not included in VBCPS student accounts.
- Students may also hold a Youth Library card (with parent signature) to check out physical items from the library.
Not Receiving Text Messages from the School?
Our records indicate that we still have some families not receiving text messages from the school with important reminders and transportation changes. If you have not received any text messages from Red Mill this school year, you may have not yet Opted in to receive text messages. See below for directions on how to Opt In or Opt Out of text messages.
How do I know if I have Opted-in?
You can check if you are opted-in by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587.
How do I opt-out?
You may opt-out at any time by texting “STOP” to 67587.
What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again?
As long as your child’s school has your text-enabled phone number on record, you may request to begin receiving text messages by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587. If the school does not have your text-enabled number on record, you will need to contact the school.
School Cafe
If you would like to do any of the following regarding your child's lunch account, please visit https://www.schoolcafe.com/virginiabeachcps
· Make Payments
· Set up Auto Pay
· Set Purchase Restrictions
· Get Low Balance Alerts
· Submit Applications
· View Purchases
· View Menus
Destination Graduation
Students and their parents are encouraged to visit the Academic and Career Planning webpage to view and engage with K-12 career resources, middle and high school academic and career planning documents, and career pathway guides. Likewise, the Destination Graduation site offers students and families grade-level specific information and resources to help students and families navigate the journey from preschool to high school graduation.